University students rally for custodian rights

January 13, 2010

SEATTLE — Students, faculty and community members demonstrated at the University of Washington (UW) against campus custodial managers who, according to labor-justice organization Democracy Insurgent, disregarded workers'' injuries, humiliated immigrant employees and intimidated workers when they organized, according to The Daily.

According to the story, Democracy Insurgent works to bring together students, faculty and community members and have been involved with the UW custodial staff since spring when the administration attempted to move several swing-shift custodians from overnight to dayside.

Ian Morgan, a Democracy Insurgent member and assistant teacher for Seattle Public Schools, said that there have been instances of harassment, saying: "Stuff like extreme micromanaging of time, intimidation. Especially for those who try to speak out or hold meetings with their coworkers about their situation."

Morgan believes that the abuses are a direct reflection of a general attitude toward immigrant workers, the story added.